ST.

JUDE THADDEUS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Borromeo Street, Surigao City

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

FORENSIC 4- QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

Second Semester A.Y. 2022-23
(MODULE 1)

CHAPTER 1
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION
Overview: This topic presents the historical development of questioned document examination. It is
necessary for future document examiner to familiarize themselves to the various trends and
development in questioned document examination.

Intended Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lessons, the students should be able to:
1. appreciate the importance of questioned document examination in law enforcement work.
2. Identify the important personalities in the study of questioned document examination.
3. define the important terms used in the study.
4. enumerate and explain the kinds of document.
5. enumerate and give examples to each class of questioned document examination.
6. distinguish the classes of questioned document.

Lesson Proper

LESSON 1:
HISTORY OF DOCUMENTS

From the very earliest time, man has put down marks on different materials to make forms of writing
were simple pictures on the walls of caves. Man soon found he could not express all of thoughts by
means of pictures so systems of writing were developed. Early writings were on stones and metal. Later
skin of animals was used. Paper was first invented by the Chinese more than 2,000 years ago but it was
not common in other countries for a long time. With the making paper, writing became more common
to many people. Criminalistics were quick to learn that it Was profitable to make false documents.
Knowledge of the methods of making false document is necessary to the police investigator. The
examination of questioned document falls into classes.

LESSON 2
PERSONALITIES IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS EXAMINATION

1. Albert Sherman Osborn - He was considered as a Father of Scientific Examination of Questioned

Document. The first American prominent in the field of forgery detection, and author of the
seminal "Questioned Documents" (1910, reprinted many times), an exhaustive work
indispensable even today. By his efforts, courts began to accept the presentation of forged
documents as scientific evidence. He founded the American Society of Questioned Document
Examiners on 2 September 1942.

2. Albert D. Osborn - He was the third President of the American Society of Questioned Document
Examiners. Mr. Osborn served in the military during World War I. Upon returning from overseas
in 1919, he began attending the meetings that eventually led to the formation of the ASQDE. In
1942, Mr. Osborn was one of the 15 men who founded the Society. He was the son of the
founding president of the ASQDE, Albert S. Osborn, and was associated with A. S. Osborn in
private practice for many years. A. D. Osborn's sons, Paul Osborn and Russell Osborn, both
became examiners of questioned documents, as did his grandson John P. Osborn. Among Mr.
Osborn's many high cases, he was one of eight document examiners who testified for the
prosecution in the case against Bruno Hauptmann in the kidnapping/murder of the Lindbergh
baby. Mr. Osborn was co-author of the book Questioned Document Problems with his father. He
was also the author of many professional papers.

3. B.J. Vreeland Haring and J. Howard Haring - The father and son Haring of New York were the
word famous handwriting experts who testified on Charles A. Lindberg Jr. Kidnapping case. The
defendant to the case was Bruno Richard Hauptmann Flemington, New Jersey in 1935. Fourteen
 letters were directed to the famous parents of the kidnapped Lindberg baby was abducted. The
other letters contained follow-up ransom demands and instructions.

4. J. Newton Baker, a Consultative Expert in " Disputed document and in 1955 he authored the
book, “Law of Disputed and Forged Documents”.

5. James V. P. Conway was an Examiner of Questioned Documents of San Francisco, California

Postal Inspector in-charge, San Francisco Identification Laboratory U.S. Postal Inspection Service
and authored "Evidential Documents" which was published in Springfield, Illinois, USA in 1959.

6. Hans Scheickert (1876-1944) - A Doctor of Law and Director of the identification Bureau of the
Police Department of Berlin until 1928. He was a Criminology Professor at the University of
Berlin in 1920 and a well-known handwriting expert.

7. Dr. Wilson R. Harrison was the Director of the British Government's Office Home Office Forensic
Science Society of Questioned Document Examiners. He authored the book "Suspect Document
Examiners Their Scientific Examination", first published in London in 1958. He had over twenty
years experienced in the examination of suspect documents for the police forces of England and
Wale and for many government departments.

8. Ordway Hilton was the sixth president of the American Society of Questioned Document
Examiners. Mr. Hilton was born in 1913 and grew up in Evanston, Illinois. He majored in
mathematics at Northwestern University and received a master's degree in statistics from the
same university in 1937. Mr. Hilton was the first questioned document examiner in the then
new crime laboratory of the Chicago Police Department. In 1944, while still on active duty as an
officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he attended the second meeting of the ASQDE in
the Montclair, New Jersey, home of Albert S. Osborn. In 1946, Mr. Hilton became associated
with Elbridge Stein, the first secretary of the ASQDE, in his private practice in New York City. He
continued the practice alone when Mr. Stein retired in 1951. In 1979, Mr. Hilton moved his
practice to Landrum, South Carolina. A prolific writer of journal articles and professional papers,
Mr. Hilton authored one of the best known texts in the field, "Scientific Examination of
Questioned Documents", in 1956, and a revised edition of the text in 1982. He also authored
Detecting and Deciphering Erased Pencil Writing. Mr. Hilton was a Diplomat of the American
Board of Forensic Document Examiners. He was instrumental in establishing the Questioned
Documents Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). From 1959 to 1960,
Mr. Hilton served as the tenth president of the AAFS. He is one of the few AAFS Fellows to be
named a Distinguished Fellow and one of only four questioned document examiners to ever
receive this honor. In 1980, he was the first recipient of the AAFS Questioned Documents
Section Award, which would be named in his honor. Ordway Hilton passed away in 1998.

9. Roy A. Huber was the 24th President of the American Society of Questioned Document
Examiners. After joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in 1940, Roy Huber worked
as a police constable at various detachments in the Province of Saskatchewan. In 1949, he
transferred to the Document Section of the RCMP's Regina Laboratory to commence a career
that would span more than fifty years. Under the tutelage of senior document examiners Hugh
Radcliffe and Chester Eaves, Mr. Huber completed his training program more than and moved to
the RCMP’s eastern laboratory in Ottawa. He wrote and presented more than 30 papers
including such titles as Typist identification, Modern Trends in Counterfeiting, The Production
and Identification of Embossing Seals, and the Quandary of “Qualified” Opinions. In 1999, he
published a book entitled “Handwriting Identification – Facts and Fundamentals,” which has
become an important text in the training of forensic document examiners. The first ASQDE
conference he attended was the 1955 meeting that was held in Houston. He presented his first
 ASQDE paper titled, the Potentialities of the Blink Microscope Principle in Typewriting
Comparisons. Mr. Huber joined the Society as a Provisional Member in 1961 and was elected a
Regular Member in 1964. For over 40 years, he regularly attended ASQDE annual conferences
and missed only two meetings for reasons beyond his control. He served on its Board of
Directors as Secretary and Vice President prior to his election to President. Elected a Life
Member in 2001, he continued to support the Society as a member of its Nominating and
Journal Committees. In 2003, Roy Huber received the Albert S. Osborn Award of Excellence in
recognition of his distinguished career and many contributions he made to both the ASQDE and
the profession as a whole.

10. Charles Chabot (baptized 19 March 1815 15 October 1882) was an English graphologist who, as
part of the firm of Netherclift, Chabot and Matheson, was an early practitioner of questioned
document examination. Chabot was born Battersea, the son of Charles, a lithographer, and Amy
n?e Pearson, a couple of Hugenot descent. Beginning as a lithographer, he developed as an
expert in handwriting and became sought after as an expert witness in a variety of famous trials
including the Roupell case and the Tichborne Case. In 1871, Chabot became involved in
establishing the identity of Junius and concluded that he was Sir Philip Francis.

LESSON 3:
WORLD'S CASES ON DISPUTED DOCUMENT

Colin Evans cited the world's cases on disputed document are as follows:

1. John Magnuson case: Date 1922; Location: Marshfield, Misconsin; Significance: From just a few
scraps of bomb-damaged paper, investigator gleaned enough evidence to capture the Yule
Bomb Killer. In his final address, Magnuson's attorney, Charles Briere, fulminated against the
"so-called experts" who had examined the scraps of the bomb, sneering that "half of them were
here for their share of the gold bag of the state." It was a complaint about expert witness that
echoes in courtrooms to the present today.

2. Arthur Perry case: Date: 1937; Location: New York City; Significance: So many factors were
combined in this case that it has come to be regarded as an American detection classic. It is
unnerving to consider the possible outcome of this case had Palm not happened to work late
that night. Without the twin interventions of fate and forensic science, it is entirely conceivable
that he may well have taken Perry's place in the electric chair.

3. Hitler Diaries case: Date: 1981; Location: Hamburg, West Germany; Significance: History's
greatest publishing fraud was first legitimized and then exposed by scientific analysis. In all,
through outright swindle, royalties, fees, lost advertising, and sundry other commitments, the
Hitler Diaries were estimated to have cost Stern more than twenty million marks (sixteen million
dollars). The cost in careers, reputations, and personal humiliation was incalculable.

4. Graham Backhouse case: Date 1984; Location: Horton, England; Significance: This case provides
an example of the interdependence of forensic discipline that helps to solve so many cases.
Piece by piece, the magnitude of Backhouse's fiendishness became apparent. In early March, he
had increased the insurance on Margaret's life from fifty to a hundred thousand pounds, waited
a few weeks while spreading word of a nonexistent hate campaign, then planted the bomb that
so nearly killed her. When that attempt failed, and to divert suspicion from himself, he had lured
Bedale-Taylor to his house with the intention of killing him. The seriousness of his self inflicted
wounds almost fooled the authorities, but he had underestimated the astonishing scope of
 modern forensic detection. On February 18, 1985, Backhouse learned the price he would have
to pay for that arrogance-two term of life imprisonment.

LESSON 4:
THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCUMENTS

Documents record man's life. Officially, his birth certificate signal's mans' existence on earth.
Corollary, thereto, his death certificate writes finish to his stay on earth. However, it is not uncommon
to note documents other than these two indicating man's birth and death. Long before a child's birth,
we may find an intimate note between Mr. And Mrs. De la Cruz planning to name the first born as a
"Junior or say "Marikit". The memo from Mrs. Cruz she had started conceiving her subsequent pre-natal
check up with the doctor; the hospital's certification of the delivery of a boy or girl de la Cruz, all these
proceeds the issuance of the birth certificate, yet are poignant examples of the finds or man's repose.
The last will and testament, the obituary, the tombstone with the inscription’s epitaphs, all those are
documents testifying to his death.

Man's life does not center alone on his birth nor on his death. The intervening period opens for
us more documents, reams of them. Take the doctor's notes on the mother's postnatal visits with the
child, the first inoculation, subsequent ones with the reams of papers; notebooks, books report, cards,
excuse slips, followed by an array of diplomas from kindergarten, primary, elementary, high school,
college and perhaps post graduate courses. While studying, the more serious love notes and not to far
behind the better proposing marriage and finally the inking of the marriage bond via the marriage
contract and certificate. This brings us back to where we started. The conception, pre-natal visits and
birth of a new generation.

Again, life is not all schooling nor marriage. Man must find work to feed his family. Thus, we find
him filling up applications for employment. He is accepted by a company, swears him in and he receives
his appointment papers. At the end of every week or every fifteenth and thirtieth of the month, man
signs the payroll and receives his paycheck or cash as the case maybe. The longer he stays the more the
payrolls and pay checks. He goes up the ladder of success and the more papers and documents he
encounters. His membership in the Lions or the Jaycees or the Kiwanis or the Knights of Columbus or the
Freemasonry must be accomplished. He must sign this and that communication paper. As he grows
older, he comes across his retirement papers and testifying receives to his his demises pension is checks.
the death As the certificate. shadows These, of life finally in a nutshell set upon amplify man, the the
final importance of documents in man's life.

General Definition of Terms

A. Document. visible that may Any present material or ultimately containing convey marks, a
meaning symbols, to or someone, signs either maybe visible, in the partially form of pencil, ink
writing, typewriting, or printing on paper.

The term "document" applies to writings; to words printed, lithographed, or photographed; to

maps or plans; to seals, plates, or even stones on which inscriptions are cut or engraved. In its plural
form, "documents" may mean; deeds, agreements, title, letters, receipts, and other written
instruments used to prove a fact.
 Latin word "documentum", means "lesson, or example (in Medieval Latin "instruction, or official
paper"), OR

 French word "docere", means to teach.

According to Microsoft Encarta Reference Library (as a noun):

1. Formal piece of writing
2. Object containing information
3. Computer file

B. Questioned. Any material which some issue has been raised or which is under scrutiny.

C. Questioned document. One in which the facts appearing therein may not be true, and are
contested either in whole or part with respect to its authenticity, identity, or origin. It may be a
deed, contract, will, election ballots, marriage contract, check, visas, application form, check
writer, certificates, etc.

D. Disputed document. A term suggesting that there is an argument or controversy over the
document, and strictly speaking this is true meaning. In this text, as well as through prior usage,
however, "disputed document" and "questioned document" are used interchangeably to signify
a document that is under special scrutiny.

E. Standard (Standard Document) -Are condensed and compact set of authentic specimens which,
if adequate and proper, should contain a cross section of the material from a known source
examples whose "Standard" origins to compare are in known questioned with and other can
matters document be proven question. investigation, and which Usually can we a standard be
mean legally those consist used things as of is the understood known handwriting by the word
of a "specimen" person such of handwriting case, "standard" has the same meaning as
F. Exemplar. A term used by some document examiners and attorneys to characterize known
material. Standard is the older term.

G. Holographic Document. Any document completely written and signed by one person; also
known as a holograph. In a number of jurisdictions, a holographic will can be probated without
anyone having witnessed its execution.

H. Reference Collection. Material compiled and organized by the document examiner to assist him
in answering special questions. Reference collections of typewriting, check writing specimens,
inks, pens, pencils, and papers are frequently maintained.

I. Characteristic. It refers to any property or mark which distinguishes and in questioned

document examination, commonly refers to identifying habits.

J. Class characteristics. These are identifying habits that are common to a group.

K. Exemplar. It is a piece of writing that can be examined forensically during handwriting

comparison. This can be used to determine the writing habit of an individual.

L. Handwriting. It is the result of the very complicated series of acts, being as a whole or a
combination of certain forms, which are the very visible result of mental and muscular habits,
acquired by long, continued and painstaking effort (Catte & Parazo 2016).

M. Ink. It is a fluid or viscous marking material used for writing or printing.

N. Non-aqueous ink. An ink which the pigment or dye is carried in any vehicle other than water.
Inks of this class are found in ballpoint pens, typewriter ribbons and stamp pads and all widely
used in the printing industry.
O. Secret ink. A material used for writing which is not visible until treated by some developing
processes or substance that can serve as a secret or sympathetic ink.

P. Significant writing habit. This is a term applied to any characteristics of handwriting that is
sufficiently unique and well-fixed to serve as a fundamental point in the identification of
handwriting.

Q. System of writing. It is the combination of the basic design of letters and writing movements as
taught in school.

R. Writing habit. It refers to any repeated element or detail that may serve to individualize writing.

LESSON 5:
Materials from which documents are made

Paper. The origin of paper includes the following:

- Parchment or Vellum. This is a material made of animal skin which is the earliest form of
writing material (Kalalang & Kalalang, Jr. 2009).
- The word paper came from papyrus (Alvarez 2013; Kalalang & Kalalang Jr. 2009; Gonzalez
2008) discovered by the Egyptians. It is a grass-like plant found in Egypt. The inside of it was
sliced into layers and were beaten and pressed together into thin sheets.
- Straw. It was used as paper invented by Chinese in 1800.

Papers are examined as to:

a. Color. The color can be well appreciated with as good light, dint, stain or fading.
b. Surface appearance. It may be smooth or rough, damage or wrinkled.
c. Watermarks. The exposure of the paper to a strong light may reveal the watermarks of the
manufacturer or type of the paper.
d. Weight and Thickness. The thickness may be measured by means of the paper micrometer.
Papers are designated in weight which shows thickness of the sheet.

Ink. This includes:

a. India ink. A suspension of carbon black in a binder solution. This is the oldest form of ink and
the most permanent of all ink colors (Delizo 2015; Alvarez 2013; Gonzalez 2008; Madelo
2008).
b. Iron Gallo-tannate Ink. Constituents of black and blue-black gull nuts inks and gallic acid,
tannic acid, and ferrous sulphate (Delizo 2015; Gonzalez 2008).
c. Logwood Inks. From the wood of the tree, a natural colouring material (Haemotoxylin) is
obtained by extraction with water. It consists of potassium chromate in saturated logwood
(Delizo 2015; Gonzalez 2008).
d. Nigrosine Ink. A water solution of a synthetic black compound prepared from aniline and
nitrobenzene.
e. Synthetic dye inks or aniline inks. Any ink which consists simply of a dye dissolved in water
together with the necessary preservatives.
f. Invisible inks or pseudo-ink reacts to light, heat, ultra-violet light, or iodine gases.

Writing instrument. The word pen came from the Latin "PENNA" meaning feather. Pen is a tool
used in writing or drawing and considered as an extension of the hand in writing.

a. Fiber tip pen. Fiber tip markers were introduced into the U.S. market and have challenged
the ball point as the principal writing instrument. It uses dye as a writing fluid. As a result,
the fiber tip pen can produce a wide range of colors unavailable in ball point and fountain
 pen inks. The first practical fiber tip pen was invented by YUKIO HORIE of Japan in 1962.
(Delizo 2015).

b. Ball point pen is a writing instrument which has as its marking tip a small freely rotating ball
bearing rolls the ink in the paper. This pen uses highly viscous non-aqueous ink. It was
patented by John Loud (Catte & Parazo 2016).

c. Fountain pen. A modern nib pen which contains a reservoir of ink in a specially designed
sack or chamber. After complete filling, the pen is capable of writing a number ofpages
without refilling. Lewis Waterman patented the first practical fountain pen containing its
own ink reservoir in 1884 (Delizo 2015).

d. Steel point pen (Brazen pen). The first patented steel pen was made by English engineer
Bryan Donkin in 1803.

e. Quill pen. It is made from the outer wing feather of a goose. Swan, crow, and even turkey.
The shaft of the feather act as the ink reservoir (Catte & Parazo 2016; Delizo 2015).

The earliest reference (6th century A.D.) to quill pens was made by the Spanish Theologian
ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLE, and this tool was the principal writing instrument for 1300 years (Delizo
2015).

f. Reed Pen/Swamp reed. This is a writing instrument made by cutting and shaping a single
reed straw or length of bamboo. It was the first writing tool that had the writing end slightly
frayed like a brush.

About 2,000 years B.C ., this reed pen was Figure 6. Reed pen first used in NEAR EAST on
papyrus and later on parchment (Delizo 2015).

Why would a forensic scientist be interested in a piece of paper?

1. Paper is involved in most crimes

Directly - ransom notes in a kidnapping case, suicide notes, forged signatures on checks, etc.
1.2 Indirectly - hotel registries, receipts, signed legal documents, etc.

2. Furthermore, document analysis is not limited to paper.

a. Anything that is used to convey a written message can be analyzed

b. Walls, mirrors, envelopes, notepads, floors, etc. (Goff, Hunsaker, Shaw, & Wootten
2006).

Two Categories of Document

Questioned Document. Any document which an issue has been raised or placed under scrutiny
is a questioned document (Manlusoc 2013; Agas et al. 2009; Madelo 2008; & Gonzales 2008). In
addition, it is a document which has a doubtful origin (Catte & Parazo 2016; Alvarez 2013;
Kalalang 2009) and also termed as disputed document (Manlusoc (2013).

Moreover, a questioned document is one which genuineness or originality is being disputed

while controversies and acceptance are uncertain and still subject to the examination for
confirmation of authenticity (Catte & Parazo 2016) or falsity (Mendoza 2012). 15-16
 Questioned document may vary in forms. It may be a signature, handwriting, typewritten
document, or computer printouts (Kalalang 2009).

Standard Document. It is a document in which the origin is known, can be proven and can be
legally used as sample to compare with other things in questioned (Manlusoc 2013).

How document becomes questioned document?

Any document may become questioned document when "it is being questioned as to its
originality, authorship, authenticity, source and genuineness and when it is placed under
scrutiny to determine whether or not it is disputed" (Gonzalez 2008). The very essential
problems are the "basis to prove the authenticity or falsity" of a document being disputed or
questioned in a particular case (Mendoza Jr. 2012). However, disputed document is the term
given when there is an argument or controversy on the document.

The initial step in the investigation of a disputed handwriting is the introduction of genuine
handwriting of the party sought to be charged with the disputed writing, which is to serve as a
standard for comparison. The standard or the exemplar therefore be proved to be genuine
(SBTC vs. Triumph Lumber & Const. Corp ., 301 SCRA 537).

LESSON 6:
LEGAL ASPECT OF DOCUMENTS
A. LEGAL BASIS OF DOCUMENTS:

1. In the case of People vs. Moreno, CA, 338 O.G. 119: any written document by which a right is
established or an obligation is extinguished.

2. In the case of People vs. Nillosquin, CA, 48 O.G. 4453: every deed or instrument executed by
person by which some disposition or agreement is proved, evidenced or set forth.

3. In relation to Criminal Jurisprudence under the Best Evidence rule: any physical embodiment of
information or ideas; e.g. a letter, a contract, a receipt, a book of account, a blue print, or an X-
ray plate (Black's Law Dictionary).

B. KINDS OF DOCUMENT:

1. Public Document - notarized by a notary public or competent public official with solemnities
required by law.(Cacnio vs. Baens, 5 Phil. 742)

2. Official Document - issued by the government or its agents or its officers having the authority to
do so and the offices, which in accordance with their creation, they are authorized to issue and
be issued in the performance of their duties.

3. Private Document-executed by a private person without the intervention of a notary public or of

any person legally authorized, by which documents, some disposition or agreement is proved,
evidenced or set forth (US vs Orera, 11 Phil. 596)

4. Commercial Document - executed in accordance with the Code of Commerce or any Mercantile
Law, containing disposition of commercial rights or obligations.

5. Electronic Document (E-Document) - exist only in electronic form such as data stored on a
computer, network, back-up, archive or other storage media. Examples of documents subjects
 to e-discovery are e-mails, instant message, e-calendars ,, audio files, data on handheld devices,
animation, metadata, graphics, photographs, spreadsheets, websites, drawings and other types
of digital data. (Governed by RA 8792)

WRITINGS WHICH DO NOT CONSTITUTE DOCUMENTS - based on some Supreme Court Rulings

1. A draft of a Municipal payroll which is not yet approved by the proper authority (People vs.
Camacho, 44 Phil. 484).

2. Mere blank forms of official documents, the spaces of which are not filled up (People vs.
Santiago, CA. 48 O.G. 4558).

3. Pamphlets or books which do not evidence any disposition or agreement are not documents but
are mere merchandise (People vs. Agnis, 47Phil.945).

Some Examples of Public Documents

For purposes of more understanding, the following are some of the examples of public documents:

a. Civil Service Examination Papers and National Police Commission Examination Papers including
the Notice of Admission (People vs. Leonidas, CA, 40 OG. Supp. 4, 101; People vs. Jokico, CA, 64
OG. 12832).

b. The Official Receipt required by the Government to be issued upon receipt of money for public
purposes (US vs. Uy Guico, 12 Phil. 209).

c. The Cashbook of a public official, in which entries are made of accounts of public money
received (US vs. Barrios, 10 Phil. 366); and

d. A Residence Certificate (People vs. Po Giok To, GR No. L-7236, April 30, 1955).

Some Examples of Official Documents

The following are some examples of official documents:

a. Register of Attorneys officially kept by the Clerk of the Supreme Court and in which is inscribed
the name of each Attorney admitted to the practice of law (People vs. Ponferrada, 54 Phil. 68).

b. A document required by the NBI or any bureau 20 to be filled up by its officers for purposes of
its record and information (People vs. Uy, 53 OG. 7236).

Examples of Commercial Documents

In the case of People vs. Lizares, CA. 65 OG. 7174, airway bills are in the nature of bill of lading,
are commercial documents which are used by merchants or businessmen to promote or facilitate trade,

In this regard, the following are some examples of commercial documents:

a. Bills of Exchange,
b. Letters of Credit, 19
c. Checks,
d. Quedans, and
e. Drafts.
LESSON 7:
CLASSES OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS
1. Documents with questioned signatures.
2. Questioned documents alleged to have been containing fraudulent alterations
3. Questioned or disputed holographic wills.
a. Holographic Will - will entirely written in the handwriting of the testator
b. Notarial Will - signed by the testator acknowledge before a notary public with 3 witnesses.
4. Documents investigated on the question of typewriting.
a. with a view of ascertaining their source
b. with a view of ascertaining their date
c. with a view of determining whether or not they contain fraudulent alterations or substituted
pages.
5. Questioned documents on issues of their age or date.
6. Questioned documents on issues of materials used in their production.
7. Documents or writings investigated because it is alleged that they identify some persons through
handwriting, anonymous and disputed letters, and Superscriptions, registrations and
miscellaneous writings.

Lesson Exercises
Part 1. Identification. Write your answer on the space provided.
____________________________1. Any document which an issue has been raised or placed under
scrutiny.

_____________________________2. Every deed or instrument executed by a person by which some

disposition or agreement is proved, evidenced or set forth.

_____________________________3. It is also termed as disputed document.

_____________________________4. They discovered papyrus.

_____________________________5. It is one which genuineness or originality is being disputed while

controversies and acceptance are uncertain.

_____________________________6. What pen was patented by Lewis Waterman?

_____________________________7. It refers to documents which origin is known and can be proven.

_____________________________8. The oldest form of ink.

_____________________________9. An instrument authenticated by a notary public or competent

official with the formalities required by law.

_____________________________10. Any document defined and regulated by the Code of Commerce.

_____________________________11. The earliest form of writing material.

_______________________________________12. Any written statement by which a right is established

or an obligation is extinguished.

_______________________________________13. He invented the first practical fiber tip pen.

_______________________________________14. A form of document governed by Republic Act No.
8792.

_______________________________________15 .It is considered as an extension of the hand in

writing.

_______________________________________16. A pen made from the outer wing feather of a goose.

_______________________________________17. It was the first writing tool that had the writing end
slightly frayed like a brush.

_______________________________________18.A material used for writing which is not visible until

treated by some developing processes or substance.

_______________________________________19. It is also known as brazen pen.

_______________________________________20. The pen that was patented by John Loud.

Part 2. Discussion

1. How document becomes questioned document?

Answer:

2. Is there a difference between questioned document and disputed document? Expound your
answer.
Answer:
REFERENCES:

1. Camara, Richard T. Questioned Document Examination. Copyright 2016.

2. Montalba. Montalba’s Compilation in Criminalistics. Copyright 2014.
3. Delizo, Darlito B.G. Criminalistics. Copyright 2013.
4. Duyogan, Zosimo A. The Idiosyncracies in Handwritings and Questioned Documents.
Copyright2011.
5. Dr. Mely E. Sorra. Forged or Genuine? Copyright 2011.
6. Kalalang, Sally. Questioned Document Examination: An Instructional Handbook.
Copyright 2009.
7. Rosete, M. Questioned Documents Examination Handbook. Copyright 2009.
8. Castillo and Magbanua. Forensic Documents Investigation. Copyright 2008.

Prepared by: REYMA G. SANDIGAN, RCRIM.

Instructor

Approved by: MAYLONA B. PALEN

VP- Academics